NWF State Lil' Ballers Camp to introduce youth to fundamentals

NWF State

By SETH STRINGER / Daily News

Published: Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 07:37 PM.

NICEVILLE – Patrick Harrington is synonymous for making the complicated sound uncomplicated.

Take for instance the ins and outs of basketball. The fifth-year NWF State women’s basketball coach is notorious for harping on the fundamentals, as in layups, free throws, taking care of the basketball and facilitating good ball movement.

It’s a blueprint that, paired with top-notch recruiting and brilliant game-planning, has led the Lady Raiders to back-to-back appearances in the Elite Eight at the NJCAA national tournament.

It’s those fundamentals that he, along with his players and staff, will impart on boys and girls ranging from third to sixth grade in the Lil’ Ballers Camp, a five-day clinic that will run from July 28th to Aug. 1st from 9 a.m. to noon at The Arena.

“Basketball at every level is a team game, it’s a fun game, and it’s an exciting game,” said Harrington, whose three kids have all been campers. “This is a great way for younger players to learn the game.

“It’s mainly the fundamentals, working on offensive skill sets, ball handling, passing, shooting and moving without the ball. And there will also be a lot of games and shooting competitions. It’s a fun time.”

In years past the camp was run in early June, but this summer Harrington saw an opportunity for his players to give back to the community by providing that valuable one-on-one assistance.

“This year we’ll be able to have the team around to help out,” Harrington said. “That’s one of the benefits of having it later in the summer, when we have enough players finishing up summer school and are available in the mornings.

“They’ll be used as demonstrators and they’ll have the opportunity to take kids aside and work one on one with them. It will be a good opportunity for us to give back to the community.”

The camp is limited to 50 campers and is $125 per participant and includes a T-shirt. In-person registration is available at all NWF State locations.

For further information contactCoach Patrick Harrington at (850) 729-5265 or harringp@nwfsc.edu.

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NICEVILLE – Patrick Harrington is synonymous for making the complicated sound uncomplicated.

Take for instance the ins and outs of basketball. The fifth-year NWF State women’s basketball coach is notorious for harping on the fundamentals, as in layups, free throws, taking care of the basketball and facilitating good ball movement.

It’s a blueprint that, paired with top-notch recruiting and brilliant game-planning, has led the Lady Raiders to back-to-back appearances in the Elite Eight at the NJCAA national tournament.

It’s those fundamentals that he, along with his players and staff, will impart on boys and girls ranging from third to sixth grade in the Lil’ Ballers Camp, a five-day clinic that will run from July 28th to Aug. 1st from 9 a.m. to noon at The Arena.

“Basketball at every level is a team game, it’s a fun game, and it’s an exciting game,” said Harrington, whose three kids have all been campers. “This is a great way for younger players to learn the game.

“It’s mainly the fundamentals, working on offensive skill sets, ball handling, passing, shooting and moving without the ball. And there will also be a lot of games and shooting competitions. It’s a fun time.”

In years past the camp was run in early June, but this summer Harrington saw an opportunity for his players to give back to the community by providing that valuable one-on-one assistance.

“This year we’ll be able to have the team around to help out,” Harrington said. “That’s one of the benefits of having it later in the summer, when we have enough players finishing up summer school and are available in the mornings.

“They’ll be used as demonstrators and they’ll have the opportunity to take kids aside and work one on one with them. It will be a good opportunity for us to give back to the community.”

The camp is limited to 50 campers and is $125 per participant and includes a T-shirt. In-person registration is available at all NWF State locations.

For further information contactCoach Patrick Harrington at (850) 729-5265 or harringp@nwfsc.edu.